Entry
ぐすぐす
gusugusu
Gusugusu describes the sound of sniffling or a stuffy nose due to a cold, allergies, or crying.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word mimics the wet or congested sound made by the nose when someone has a cold, hay fever, or is weeping softly. It highlights the repeated action of trying to clear a blocked or runny nose.
- Sound of a stuffy or runny nose
- Sound of sniffling while crying softly
Sense Map
Stuffy or runny nose
Used when a person has a cold or allergies and repeatedly sniffles.
鼻がぐすぐすする。
Crying softly
Used when a person is crying and sniffing their tears back.
ぐすぐす泣く。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぐすぐすする
Used as a verb to mean 'to sniffle' or 'to have a stuffy nose'.
ぐすぐすと + verb
Used as an adverb with 'to' to describe how an action (like crying) is done with sniffling.
ぐすぐす + verb
Used as an adverb directly modifying a verb like 'crying' or 'sniffling'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
鼻がぐすぐすする
one's nose is stuffy/runny
ぐすぐす泣く
to cry while sniffling
鼻をぐすぐすさせる
to sniffle
ぐすぐす鼻をすする
to sniffle continuously
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Having a cold or allergies | neutral | Describes the annoying symptom of a blocked or slightly runny nose. |
| Crying | neutral | Shows someone crying softly while trying to suppress their tears by sniffling. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ずるずる ずるずる / similar | When the nose is very runny and making a loud, wet slurping sound. | Gusugusu is softer and more about congestion; zuruzuru is very wet and runny. | 鼻水がずるずる出る。 |
くすん くすん / similar | When there is a single, soft sniffle, typically associated with light crying or sadness. | Gusugusu is continuous sniffling; kusun is usually a single sad sniff. | くすんと泣く。 |
すんすん すんすん / similar | When sniffing lightly without much congestion, or when sniffing to smell an aroma. | Gusugusu implies a wet or stuffy nose; sunsun is lighter or used for smelling. | 匂いをスンスン嗅ぐ。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe blowing your nose loudly.
Gusugusu only describes the soft, continuous sound of sniffling, not blowing.
Using it for a dog smelling things.
Use クンクン (kunkun) for a dog smelling around. Gusugusu is for stuffiness or crying.
Examples
Examples
風邪で鼻がぐすぐすする。
かぜで はなが ぐすぐす する。
My nose is sniffling and stuffy from a cold.
LiteralShows a congested nose due to a cold.
子供は叱られて、ぐすぐす泣いていた。
こどもは しかられて、 ぐすぐす ないて いた。
The child was scolded and kept crying softly while sniffling.
LiteralDescribes crying softly while sniffling back tears.
アレルギーで鼻をぐすぐすさせている。
アレルギーで はなを ぐすぐす させて いる。
He is making sniffling sounds from his allergies.
LiteralFocuses on the active sniffling sound caused by allergies.
花粉症の季節は、みんな鼻をぐすぐす言わせている。
かふんしょうの きせつは、 みんな はなを ぐすぐす いわせて いる。
During hay fever season, everyone is constantly sniffling.
LiteralShows a common situation where many people experience a stuffy nose.
彼女は涙をこらえながら、ぐすぐす鼻をすすっていた。
かのじょは なみだを こらえながら、 ぐすぐす はなを すすって いた。
She held back her tears while continuously sniffling her nose.
LiteralHolding back tears causes someone to sniffle their nose continuously.
Similar Words
くすん
kusun
Kusun and gusun describe the sound of a short intake of breath through the nose, typical of soft crying or having a runny nose. Just for a single, soft sniffle when feeling sad.
スンスン
sunsun
スンスン is a mimetic word (onomatopoeia) for the light, repeated sound of sniffling, holding back tears, or lightly sniffing the air. For light sniffling without congestion, or for sniffing an aroma.
ずるずる
zuruzuru
Zuruzuru describes the sound or action of dragging a heavy object, slurping noodles, sniffling, or a situation that drags on without a clear resolution. For a much wetter, louder slurping sound of a very runny nose.
Questions
Can I use ぐすぐす for coughing?
No, it is strictly for nasal sounds like sniffling.
Is there a difference between ぐすぐす and ぐずぐず (guzuguzu)?
Yes. ぐすぐす (unvoiced) is sniffling. ぐずぐず (voiced) means dawdling, hesitating, or lingering.
Does ぐすぐす sound severe?
It indicates a mild to moderate stuffy nose, not a severe or extremely messy one (which would be ずるずる).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2766790
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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